Veterinary Assistant

Reports To: Hospital Manager 

Delegation of Authority: As the Veterinary Assistant, you are delegated the authority, responsibility, and accountability for carrying out your assigned duties.

Position Summary:  The Veterinary Assistant is responsible for providing excellent performance of all tasks necessary to support the doctors and to provide client/patient services with all necessary activities for the smooth flow of operation and effective utilization of Equine Surgery & Medicine.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provide the daily, weekly, and monthly activities of the Veterinary Assistant to support the doctors in an effective and professional manner.
• Provide excellent client/patient service to sustain and to continue growth of our client base on an ongoing basis.
• When assisting a Doctor with In-Clinic appointments, the Veterinary Assistant must remain working with that doctor through the entire appointment unless otherwise directed by the Doctor.
• Be responsible for proper completion of the admissions and discharges of patients being dropped off, arriving for In-Clinic appointments, emergencies, patients being picked up or leaving from In-Clinic appointments. Also responsible for making sure that all personal items, feed and medications are sent home with the appropriate patients at the time of discharge.
• Perform support activities on a daily basis to contribute to the demand of the business without jeopardizing the quality of service provided.
• Be responsible for providing client/patient services to achieve quality of service and standards required within the company guidelines.
• Comply with the conduct of protocol and tasks as required in the Employee Handbook and the Veterinary Assistant training including but not limited to:
  • Assist the doctors with In-Clinic Appointments: (A) prepare exam rooms for patients, anticipating the procedures as well as the needs of the individual patients, (B) assist doctors as requested, (C) restrain the patient as needed, (D) perform requested lab work, (E) gather medications/items prescribed by doctors.
  • Assist the doctors with In-Hospital patients: (A) gather the materials and equipment that will be needed for the examination, (B) handle and restrain the patient, (C) perform tasks as directed by the doctor, (D) verify that any added or discontinued treatments are added to the treatment sheet, (E) verify the patient chart has been updated for billing purposes.
  • Ensure the following has been performed on a day-to-day basis: (A) keep tech station, lab and exam rooms clean and well organized, (B) keep up with lab work and x-rays dropped off by the veterinarians, (C) wash, dry, fold and put away laundry as needed, (D) ensure both exam rooms, tech station, and both hospital carts are sufficiently stocked, (E) ensure that all lab work has been prepared for the front office staff to send out.
  • Ensure In-Hospital patient care: (A) all appropriate treatment meds have been drawn up for the day, (B) perform patient treatments at the indicated times, (C) proper monitoring of patients and subsequent documentation in patient charts.
  • Ensure that all end of day tasks have been performed and documented: (A) ensure all areas are swept, and all stalls have been cleaned for the day, (B) vacuum all rugs daily, (C) touch base with HR Manager and/or Office Administrator on status of tasks prior to leaving for the day.
  • Assist the doctors with farm calls: (A) upon arrival to farm call start set up for appointment (i.e. if floating teeth-start setting up stand and prepare float), (B) draw up any vaccines/medications as directed by the doctor, (C) restrain patient, (D) ensure proper clean up and ensure proper disposal of sharps container items, (E) ensure all equipment/appointment items have been properly placed back onto the doctors truck, (F) assist with invoicing of services/products provided, (G)assist with keeping the doctors on time for appointments and keeping in contact with office staff to ensure schedule timeliness.
  • Ensure all doctors trucks are fully stocked as to their preference and needs for appointments for the day.
  • Ensure to work effectively with each other to inspire teamwork throughout the clinic.
• Comply with company policies and procedures.
• Recommend updates and improvements as needed to make the team work as efficient as possible.
• Ensure that the inventory control system in the pharmacy and hospital are maintained..
• Perform any other tasks in the best interest of Equine Surgery & Medicine as may be assigned by doctors, and/or Hospital Manager.

Qualifications:

• Must be a person of integrity; possess a high school diploma or GED
• Equine experience is required
• Veterinary Assistant experience is preferred
• Veterinary Assistant Certificate or a minimum of 5 years horse handling experience is preferred

Schedule

• We hiring for full-time and part-time openings.
• For the full-time scheduling needs: 8-hour shifts during the week (Monday-Friday), weekends are required, schedule can be discussed further in actual interview
• Full-time candidate preferred, but would consider a part time candidate that would be able to work weekends

Work Setting and Environment:  

• Exposure to loud or unpleasant voices/noises and chance for bodily injury.
• Periodic stress of working with distressed clients.

Working Conditions:

• Exposed to body fluids, infection, odors, and behaviors of horses.
• Exposed to varying weather elements.
• Exposed to chemicals/cleaning solutions, x-ray radiation.
• Standard Precautions are followed at all times.
• All employees are provided with information on hazardous material as part of the general orientation. Education and training for the safe use and handling of hazardous material specific to your job duties will be provided.
• MSDS exists on all hazardous products.

 Strength:

• Frequent standing, walking carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, reaching, simple and firm grasping, twisting, lifting, climbing stairs and fine manipulation.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs.
• Must be able to restrain horses of various sizes.

Manual Dexterity:

• Must be able to continuously perform simple manipulative tasks with equipment and occasionally perform difficult manipulative tasks.

Coordination:

• Must have the ability to move about in tight spaces, between objects, animals and equipment.

 Vision: 

• Must be able to distinguish color.
• 3D Depth perception and peripheral vision.

Hearing:

• Must be able to continuously hear ordinary conversation, telephone, and other sounds.

Mental:

• Must be able to continuously process, interpret and respond to cognitive stimuli.

Speech:

• Must be able to speak and write the English language clearly and continuously to communicate with clients and coworkers

Emotional Stability:

• Must be able to continuously deal effectively with stress and interruptions and work cooperatively as part of the Great Lakes Equine Wellness team while maintaining a pleasant demeanor.

Concentration: 

• Must have the ability to concentrate on moderate or fine details with frequent interruptions necessary to perform a variety of tasks.

This position description is not intended to be all inclusive.  The employee will perform other reasonable related business duties as assigned.

Management reserves the right to change job responsibilities, duties, and hours as needs arise. 

What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources